Table of Contents
🔹 Introduction
If you’re learning Korean and love Korean food, the word 맛 (mat) is one you’ll hear often.
It means “taste” or “flavor” in Korean and is used in all kinds of everyday conversations—from ordering food to expressing your preferences. Understanding the taste in Korean language and culture is essential for appreciating Korean cuisine.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What “taste” means in Korean language
- How to pronounce and use the Korean word 맛
- The 5 basic Korean taste types with real examples
- Bonus flavor-related expressions used by native speakers
- Why so many learners forget these words—and how to make them stick Let’s begin with the basics of taste in Korean vocabulary.
🧂 The Word for Taste in Korean: 맛 (mat)
- Meaning: The Korean word for taste / flavor
- Pronunciation: “mat” – short, crisp ‘t’ sound at the end
- Batchim tip: The final ㅅ sounds like a soft “t” and is not released sharply
- The taste in Korean pronunciation requires attention to that final consonant This word is the root for many common food expressions and is essential to learn when studying taste in Korean meaning.
🗣️ Essential Expressions with 맛
- 맛있다 – It’s delicious
- 맛없다 – It’s not tasty
- 맛보다 – To taste (verb form of the taste in Korean word)
- 맛이 좋다 – It tastes good
- 맛이 없다 – It lacks flavor These phrases are foundational when eating out or talking about food in Korean.
🧠 The 5 Basic Korean Tastes
Just like in English, Korean describes five primary tastes. Each has its own word and form based on 맛.
1. Sweet – 단맛
Example
“단맛” refers to sweetness, and “달다” is the adjective meaning “sweet.”
Original Korean Sentence
제가 만든 케이크는 단맛이 나서 아이들이 좋아해요.
Pronunciation Guide
제가 (je-ga) 만든 (man-deun) 케이크는 (ke-i-keu-neun) 단맛이 (dan-ma-si) 나서 (na-seo) 아이들이 (a-i-deul-i) 좋아해요 (jo-a-hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
제 (I) 가 (subject marker) 만든 (made) 케이크 (cake) 는 (topic marker) 단맛 (sweet taste) 이 (subject marker) 나서 (because it has) 아이들 (children) 이 (subject marker) 좋아해요 (like it).
Grammar
- 좋아하다: Verb meaning “to like”
English Translation
The cake I made has a sweet taste, so the children like it.
Literal Translation
Because cake I made has sweet taste, children like.
2. Salty – 짠맛
Example
“짠맛” refers to saltiness, and “짜다” is the adjective meaning “salty.”
Original Korean Sentence
이 국은 짠맛이 너무 강해서 물을 더 넣어야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation Guide
이 (i) 국은 (gu-geun) 짠맛이 (jjan-ma-si) 너무 (neo-mu) 강해서 (gang-hae-seo) 물을 (mu-reul) 더 (deo) 넣어야 (neo-eo-ya) 할 (hal) 것 (geot) 같아요 (ga-ta-yo).
Meaning and Context
이 (this) 국 (soup) 은 (topic marker) 짠맛 (salty taste) 이 (subject marker) 너무 (too) 강해서 (strong) 물 (water) 을 (object marker) 더 (more) 넣어야 (need to put in) 할 것 같아요 (I think).
Grammar
- 강하다: Adjective meaning “strong”
- -아/어서: Connective ending indicating cause
- -(으)ㄹ 것 같다: Expression indicating likelihood or personal opinion
English Translation
This soup is too salty, so I think we need to add more water.
Literal Translation
As for this soup, because salty taste is too strong, I think (we) need to add more water.”
3. Sour – 신맛
Example
“신맛” refers to sourness, and “시다” is the adjective meaning “sour.”
Original Korean Sentence
레몬의 신맛이 감기에 좋다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation Guide
레몬의 (le-mon-ui) 신맛이 (sin-ma-si) 감기에 (gam-gi-e) 좋다고 (jot-da-go) 들었어요 (deul-eo-sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
레몬 (lemon) 의 (possessive particle) 신맛 (sour taste) 이 (subject marker) 감기 (cold) 에 (for) 좋다고 (is good) 들었어요 (I heard).
Grammar
- -다고: Quoted speech ending
- 듣다: Verb meaning “to hear”
English Translation
I heard that the sourness of lemons is good for colds.
Literal Translation
(I) heard that lemon’s sour taste is good for colds.
4. Bitter – 쓴맛
Example
“쓴맛” refers to bitterness, and “쓰다” is the adjective meaning “bitter.”
Original Korean Sentence
커피의 쓴맛을 줄이려면 설탕이나 우유를 넣으세요.
Pronunciation Guide
커피의 (keo-pi-ui) 쓴맛을 (sseun-ma-seul) 줄이려면 (jul-i-ryeo-myeon) 설탕이나 (seol-tang-i-na) 우유를 (u-yu-reul) 넣으세요 (neo-eu-se-yo).
Meaning and Context
커피 (coffee) 의 (possessive particle) 쓴맛 (bitter taste) 을 (object marker) 줄이려면 (if you want to reduce) 설탕 (sugar) 이나 (or) 우유 (milk) 를 (object marker) 넣으세요 (please put in).
Grammar
- -려면: Conditional ending meaning “if you want to” or “in order to”
- -(으)세요: Polite imperative ending
English Translation
If you want to reduce the bitterness of coffee, add sugar or milk.
Literal Translation
To reduce coffee’s bitter taste, please put in sugar or milk.
5. Umami / Savory – 감칠맛
Example
“감칠맛” refers to umami or savory taste, a rich, deep flavor often found in broths, meats, and fermented foods.
Original Korean Sentence
된장찌개의 감칠맛은 정말 특별해요.
Pronunciation Guide
된장찌개의 (doen-jang-jji-gae-ui) 감칠맛은 (gam-chil-ma-seun) 정말 (jeong-mal) 특별해요 (teuk-byeol-hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
된장찌개 (doenjang jjigae, soybean paste stew) 의 (possessive particle) 감칠맛 (savory taste) 은 (topic marker) 정말 (really) 특별해요 (special).
Grammar
- 특별하다: Adjective meaning “special”
English Translation
The savory taste of doenjang jjigae is really special.
Literal Translation
Doenjang jjigae’s savory taste is really special.
🧾 Bonus Korean Flavor Words
| Korean Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 매운맛 | spicy taste (🌶️) |
| 고소한 맛 | nutty / roasted flavor |
| 느끼한 맛 | greasy, oily taste |
| 담백한 맛 | clean, mild taste |
| 개운한 맛 | refreshing taste |
These words are frequently used to describe Korean food experiences in more detail.
🍱 Food and Taste in Korean Culture
- Koreans care deeply about taste—not just in flavor but in balance. Most meals aim to balance salty, sweet, spicy, and savory tastes. Common food in Korean terminology includes:
- 음식 – food in Korean language
- 식사 – meal
- 반찬 – side dishes
- 김치, 찌개, 국 – staples of Korean cuisine
- 밥 – rice (central to the Korean meal)
Understanding these taste in Korean vocabulary words will help you better appreciate Korean food culture and communicate your preferences more effectively.
💬 Expressing Preferences in Korean
Here are some useful sentences to express your taste:
저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요. – I like spicy food
단 것은 별로 안 좋아해요. – I don’t really like sweet things
이 음식 맛이 어때요? – How does this food taste?
입맛에 맞아요. – It suits my taste
한국 음식 맛에 익숙해졌어요. – I’ve gotten used to the taste of Korean food
⚠️ Why Many Learners Forget These Words
Now that you’ve seen so many taste-related words, let’s be honest:
You’ve probably memorized words like 맛있다, 단맛, or 감칠맛 before—only to forget them a week later.
Why does this happen?
You learned the word without real emotional or sensory connection
You didn’t see the word in a full sentence
You never used it in context
🧠 Our brains don’t retain disconnected data. We remember moments, emotions, and stories.
✅ How to Make Korean Vocabulary Stick (Like Flavor)
Here’s what actually works:
Learn the word inside a full sentence
Visualize a real scene connected to that sentence
Say it out loud, then write or speak your own version
Practice repeatedly in different contexts
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✅ Story-based lessons that help you emotionally connect with words
✅ Sentence-by-sentence breakdowns so you understand every part
✅ Practice-first approach — reading, listening, shadowing, and speaking
✅ Simple explanations, clear structure, and level-based progress
This isn’t passive learning. It’s the kind of learning that sticks — just like your favorite flavor.
👉 Try a free sample from our story-based course →
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Premium Korean Course
- Take your Korean to the next level with this structured, story-based course. Learn grammar naturally through engaging stories and practice exercises.them in daily conversation. Start practicing today!
- Click the image to start learning today!
🥢 Conclusion: Mastering Taste in Korean Words
Next time you eat Korean food, try practicing these taste descriptions. Whether you’re enjoying the spicy kick of tteokbokki or the refreshing taste of naengmyeon, expressing the taste in Korean will enhance your dining experience.
Food in Korean culture is about more than sustenance—it’s a social experience centered around shared flavors. Learning to describe these flavors in the native language adds another dimension to your appreciation.
That’s how words stay with you. When you connect language to sensory experience, both the taste and the vocabulary become memorable.
Next time you take a bite of your favorite Korean dish, say the taste in Korean.
That’s how words stay with you.
맛있게 드세요! (Enjoy your meal!)
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